We’ve all heard the saying, “It’s better to give than receive” especially during the holiday season. But did you know that it’s actually true, and that sharing your wealth with others is actually good for you? Scientific studies are showing that people really do feel happier when buying gifts for others versus than when they are just shopping for themselves. Interested yet? Keep reading, because there’s just a few more shopping days until Christmas! Science is proving that money truly doesn’t buy happiness. Studies have been conducted that measure a person’s level of contentment after spending money.
Those who spent the money for others (donated it to charity, bought a gift for someone else, etc.) experienced a heightened level of joy, while those who spent it on themselves felt nothing, or even had feelings of guilt. Our source states that how we choose to spend our money is even more important to our well-being than the amount of money we make, or even how we make the money in the first place. Their studies concluded that giving as little as $5 a day to someone else resulted in a measurable boost to one’s perceived level of happiness. If you don’t have money to give, try helping out in other ways instead. Your body will thank you.